Relay Protection Test Engineer

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Summary:

System Protection provides engineering for the design and operation of protective relays and their logic schemes for transmission, distribution, and generation systems to detect abnormal power system conditions and initiates corrective action to return the power system to its normal state. Protection engineering deals with protecting the electrical power system from faults through the isolation of faulted parts from the rest of the electrical network.

As a Protection Testing Engineer, you will provide test and energization support for field technicians during implementation and operation of protective relays for transmission, distribution, and generation systems. Additional job duties may include providing engineering of system protection and protection maintenance/operation support including, but not limited to developing protection requirements, creating relay settings, performing fault studies, analyzing system events.

*Position available to be filled as either an Intermediate, P2, Protection Testing Engineer or a P3, Senior Protection Testing Engineer. See required determining qualifications below. Competencies posted at p2 level.

Responsibilities

Protection Testing Engineer, p2:

• Maintains currency in state-of-the-art engineering practices and independently applies professional knowledge of engineering processes and standards.
• Ensures QA activities are well documented and ensures proper document control to meet NERC reliability audit requirements; gathers data and provides documentation review to establish PGE compliance with WECC and FERC protection criteria; maintains a high level of engineering proficiency within the field of specialization and up-to-date technical knowledge of all current techniques, applicable codes, and regulations.
• Analyzes and performs technical studies; reviews work performed by other engineers; contributes to operational assessments of system disturbances.
• Works with protection and automation engineers to develop testing plans for protection and control systems which identify physical safety barriers, electronic safety barriers, interconnected control systems to be tested, and best testing practices to reduce system risk. Ensures control systems efficiently check schemes by eliminating duplications while ensuring compliance to WECC standards. Coordinates development of postconstruction QA checklist; provides engineering support to operations personnel for switching and load restoration activities.
• Assigns tasks and coordinates with other internal/external team members as directed on less complex projects; shares information and provides professional guidance in executing project tasks. Coordinates projects with outside entities including PGE System Control Center, other interconnected utilities, major customers through key customer managers and other PGE departments. Partners with construction engineers to develop high level sequenced construction plan with major shutdown requirements; provides engineering expertise to construction crews on design and construction issues (e.g., constructability reviews, design philosophy, design additions or changes during construction, equipment integration). Provides engineering expertise to overall project management (construction engineer and crews) with scope changes.
• Shares current knowledge of latest technology and processes; may assist with mentoring, recognition and any corrective actions required. Participates in delivering technical training to substation wiremen and technicians; supports Meter/Relay/SCADA technicians with design issues and changing technologies.

Senior Protection Testing Engineer, P3:

• Maintains currency in state-of-the-art engineering practices and provides guidance and direction on engineering processes and standards to colleagues when requested.
• Ensures QA activities are well documented. Identifies and implements improvements and ensures proper document control to meet NERC reliability audit requirements. Provides input on control and protection design standards and criteria; gathers data and provides documentation review to establish PGE compliance with WECC and FERC protection criteria.
• Analyzes and performs technical studies, prepares reports and provides solutions to complex technical matters; reviews work performed by other engineers; contributes substantially to operational assessments of system disturbances, including Root Cause Analysis.
• Works with and is an authoritative resource to protection and automation engineers to develop testing plans for complex control systems which identify physical safety barriers, electronic safety barriers, interconnected control systems to be tested, and best testing practices to reduce system risk. Ensures control systems efficiently check schemes by eliminating duplications while ensuring compliance to WECC standards. Leads development of postconstruction QA checklist; provides engineering expertise to operations personnel for switching and load restoration activities.
• Coordinates complex projects with outside entities including PGE System Control Center, other interconnected utilities, major customers through key customer managers, and other PGE departments. Partners with construction engineers to develop high level sequenced construction plan on complex projects with major shutdown requirements including switching and energization plans; provides engineering expertise and broad support to construction crews on complex design and construction issues (e.g., constructability reviews, design philosophy, design additions or changes during construction, equipment integration). Supports overall project management (construction engineer and crews) with scope changes.
• Identifies training and testing requirements for new and complex control systems; delivers technical training to substation wiremen and technicians and supports Meter/Relay/SCADA technicians with a wide range of design issues and changing technologies.

Qualifications

Required:

Protection Testing Engineer

• Bachelor's degree in engineering. ABET accredited engineering program or program accredited by an equivalent agency.
• Typically, 2 or more years in engineering.
• Valid Driver's License required.

Senior Protection Testing Engineer experience:

• Bachelor's degree in engineering. ABET accredited engineering program or program accredited by an equivalent agency.
• Typically, five or more years in engineering, or four or more years in related field with PE license.
• Valid Driver's License required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with substation relay functions
• Effective oral and written communications skills
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills
• Skill and knowledge of electrical utility infrastructure construction and testing practices
• Effective at building professional interdepartmental relationships
• Experience commissioning substation protection equipment is preferred
• Deal effectively with pressure of real-time problem solving.

COMPETENCIES (KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES)

Functional Competencies

• Intermediate knowledge of engineering and economic principles and concepts.
• Intermediate knowledge of other engineering disciplines and intermediate ability to interpret engineering deliverable content as assigned.
• Intermediate knowledge and application of engineering processes and procedures.
• Intermediate industry knowledge and technology trends.
• Intermediate knowledge of company QA/QC process and procedures.
• Working knowledge of procurement and contract administration.
• Working knowledge of process, procedures for project controls and estimates.
• Intermediate knowledge of electrical utility infrastructure construction and testing practices.

General Competencies

• Intermediate accuracy skills.
• Working knowledge of the utility industry.
• Intermediate organization and prioritization skills.
• Intermediate decision-making skills.
• Intermediate problem-solving skills.
• Intermediate written and oral communication skills.
• Intermediate presentation skills.

PHYSICAL, COGNITIVE DEMANDS AND SCHEDULE/ATTENDANCE

Physical

• Does the job require a valid driver's license? - Yes
• Driving/travel/commute: Daily within service territory - Occasionally (one to two times a month or less)
• Driving/travel/commute: Overnight inside/outside the service territory - Occasionally (one to two times a month or less)
• Computer use (use computer regularly for entire work shift)
• Lifting/pushing/pulling (check appropriate weight): Up to 10 lb
• Carrying (check appropriate weight): Up to 10 lb
• Unstable surfaces requiring balance (i.e., moving equipment, boats); check all that apply:
• Walking distances and surfaces (long distances and over rough, uneven or rocky surfaces)

Cognitive Demands

• Ability to adhere to set response times, deadlines and time-sensitive tasks
• Ability to follow accuracy standards
• Ability to follow through on decision-making tasks
• Ability to interact effectively and collaboratively within a team environment
• Ability to communicate and problem solve when under stress
• Ability to respond and adapt to frequent change
• Ability to accept and demonstrate self-awareness when provided constructive feedback
• Ability to discern feedback and acknowledge ownership of areas of improvement
• Ability to avoid future mistakes by applying reasonable skills to new but similar work situations or tasks
• Ability to successfully collaborate with peers, managers and others within the organization
• Demonstrates sound memory
• Ability to process new information to be applied consistently to work tasks

Schedule/Attendance

• Ability to adhere to pre-established schedule, including start/stop time and break/lunch schedule [typically for nonexempt positions, although some exempt positions may have an established start/stop time]
• Ability to work long hours
• Ability to work a variable schedule
• Ability to report to work and perform work during periods of severe inclement weather
• Ability to consistently meet attendance standards for regular, reliable, predictable, full-time attendance
• Ability to work shift schedule
• Ability to work on-call schedule

Environment

• Office environment
• Plant environment
• Field environment

#LI-SB1, #LI-Hybrid, #LI-Onsite

Compensation Range:

Actual total compensation, including a performance based incentive bonus, is commensurate with experience, skills, qualifications, education, training, and internal equity. While we anticipate the selected candidate for this position will fall towards the middle or entry point of the compensation range, the decision will be made on a case-by-case basis.

PGE believes in rewarding dedicated performance. We provide a total rewards package that is designed to reward your contributions to the company, and, at the same time, support your well-being and professional development, both now and into the future. To find out more, click here.

Join us today and power your potential!

Assisting with storms or other Company emergencies is a part of all positions at Portland General Electric.

PGE is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to fostering a workplace where employees feel connected, valued, and empowered to thrive. PGE will not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment based on race, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, religion, disability, protected veteran status, or other characteristics protected by law.

PGE does not discriminate on the basis of disability. We recognize individuals have a variety of abilities to offer and we believe there is much to value and celebrate by incorporating different abilities into the work we do. One very important way we live this out is in our application and interview process. We work hard to support individuals who may need an accommodation to fully participate in these processes. If you feel you may need an accommodation, or would like to request one, please notify the Recruiter associated with the job posting. You may also make this request by contacting talentacquisition@pgn.comor by calling 503-464-7250. The Recruiter will provide information and next steps for the accommodation process.

To be considered for this position, please complete the following employment application by the posting close date. Posting closes at midnight (Pacific Time) on the closing date below. If no date is listed, job is open until filled.